Today on DelmarvaLife –

DelmarvaLife Goes Purple

Today we bring awareness to and provide information about opioid abuse and recovery. The color purple symbolizes the healthy decisions we make each day and, when it comes to the drug epidemic we are facing, it takes all of us to fight the battle.

Last September, Bruce Ricketts joined us as he was celebrating 15 months of recovery from heroin addiction. Today, Bruce is celebrating two years and three months of being clean. He joins us, along with Peggy Geisler, who is the Executive Director of the Sussex County Health Coalition and the State Co-Chair of Delaware Goes Purple.

We talk about technology’s role in saving lives from drug addiction. OpiRescue Delaware is a free overdose rescue app. We learn more about it and how it works.

On the lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, Talbot, Dorchester, Somerset, and Wicomico Counties all have a “Going Purple” initiative to bring awareness to drug addiction and create community support for finding a solution. We talk with Christina Bowie-Simpson, Wicomico County’s Opioid Coordinator about what’s going on in Wicomico.

Our first responders are often the first ones to reach a person who has overdosed. Firefighters, police officers, and EMTs have to make quick decisions to save a suspected drug user’s life. We talk with Deputy Seaford Police Chief, Michael Rapa, about the challenges first responders face with the every-growing drug epidemic.

When Don Keister lost his son to a heroin overdose, he created a group called, “Attack Addiction.” We’ll hear Don’s story and find out how this group is helping.

Delaware Musician, Will McKinley has turned his pain into music. Today, he performs his song, “Don’t Overdose” on the Mid South Audio Stage.

Do you know someone who has a birthday or wedding anniversary coming up? A great way to celebrate is with a DelmarvaLife Occasion. Submit your occasion here.